Erika Dreifus

FYI: I’m pre-scheduling this post to go out on the first day of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, when I expect to be (mostly) offline. (NB: This is another one of the Jewish holidays for which, traditionally, usual “work” is not permitted.) Chag sameach wishes to others who may be observing the holiday, however you may be doing so.

For many years—since long before Substack arrived on the scene—I’ve been curating “Monday Markets and Jobs” posts on the Practicing Writing blog, where everyone can still find them (albeit slightly later in the day than in the past). But I’ve begun sharing this #MondayMotivation early every Monday morning via Substack, too, as a benefit for paid subscribers.

Quick reminders: These posts are supplements to the free monthly newsletter, allowing me to include opportunities that I may not have caught in time for each month’s edition. Unlike the monthly newsletter, which filters out listings that may be limited to writers in single city/state/province, these weekly posts do include such localized opportunities. But in all cases, calls and competitions must not charge submission/application fees, and they must offer payment for winning/published work (or, in the case of residencies, they must not charge participation fees).

Herewith, the latest gleanings.

• In case you missed it (or haven’t had time to peruse it yet): The June edition of our monthly newsletter went out to all subscribers last Friday. It’s filled with 55+ fee-free and paying/funded submissions—and much more!
• Opening June 2 (with a deadline of August 1): Individual Artist Fellowships from the Delaware Division for the Arts. “Fellowships are designed to enable recipients to purchase equipment and materials, allocate working time, or fulfill other needs that will allow them to advance their careers (excluding foreign travel and lobbying)….Awards are $5,000 for Emerging; $8,000 for Established; and $12,000 for Masters.” NB: The Delaware Division for the Arts is also currently accepting applications for Artist Opportunity Grants, which “support unique professional and artistic development and presentation opportunities for artists. Examples include: materials to complete work for a specific show or program; the cost to rent a facility for a performance; study with a master for a specified period of time.” For the current window, applications close July 1 for activities taking place August 15-November 15.
• The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba Short Story and Poetry Contest invites submissions of “previously unpublished poetry and/or a short story. Winning entries will be published in the Lögberg-Heimskringla and the Icelandic Festival official souvenir program. Prize money [$125 for the winning entry in each “open” category; there are also youth categories] is paid in CAD funds and winners must be able to accept a Canadian cheque.” NB: “You do not need to be of Icelandic descent to submit an entry, however material reflecting Icelandic culture and interests will be given preference, as will entries that reflect our 2025 theme, ‘Woven Together: 150 years, Iceland and Canada.’” Deadline: June 7. (Hat tip: WOW! Women on Writing Markets Newsletter.)
• “To promote the use of research collections housed at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the Department of History, Geography, and Philosophy and the Guilbeau Center for Public History are pleased to announce the Jamie Guilbeau and Thelma Guilbeau UL Lafayette Collections Research Grant in the amount of $2,000 for a researcher who is not a faculty member, staff member, or student at UL Lafayette. Proposals should indicate promise of publication or reaching a broad audience in some other form and require work in the collections of the University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collections, the Ernest J. Gaines Center, the Cajun and Creole Music Collection, the Center for Louisiana Studies, or in other UL Lafayette collections. The grant is intended primarily to defray travel expenses; therefore preference will be given to researchers beyond commuting distance of UL Lafayette. Particular consideration will be given to applications that speak broadly to Louisiana and its histories, heritages, cultures, and identities.Faculty, graduate students, independent scholars, and artists are encouraged to apply.” Deadline: June 9.
• The Jewish Women’s Archive (JWA) is advertising for a Rising Voices Fellowship Manager, whose “primary responsibility is managing and growing the Rising Voices Fellowship (RVF) and its alumnae network. Founded in 2013, RVF is a ten-month program for young Jewish women and nonbinary individuals in 10th-12th grades who have a passion for writing and a strong interest in feminism, Judaism, and social justice.” Full-time position (salary: $52,000-$57,000). “The office is located in Newton, MA. Strong preference for Boston-based applicants. Applicants must be based in the US.” Apply by June 18.
• New England Review is advertising for a (remote) Fiction Editor. “Fiction Editors work with the New England Review staff to select fiction for publication in the magazine, evaluating unsolicited submissions, working with volunteer readers, and soliciting work as needed. Fiction Editors also serve as advocates and representatives of the magazine and its mission. (5 hours per week average).Position pay is $24.00/hour.” Deadline: June 20.
• From Good Printed Things: “We invite you to share a poem, essay, or story that reflects on a food memory — one that shaped you or has stayed with you for some reason. Essays and short stories should be no longer than 2,500 words. Memory holds food in surprising ways: its smells and flavors, its celebrations and rituals around both joy and grief. Sometimes our memories are about who was at the table, sometimes about who wasn’t. Sometimes these memories are flavored with joy and other times with disgust. We expect we will get dozens — if not scores — of grandmother stories and comfort food tales, and those are welcome. But we also understand that food is not merely nourishment or a benign connector of people; all grandmothers can’t cook (and might not even like you, their grandchild), and food can be used for punishment or weapon of war, small or large. We want to read the hilarious and the hurtful, pieces that question and pieces that answer. Selected works will appear in the next mixed-lit anthology by Good Printed Things to be published Fall 2025.” Guest editor: Dr. Cynthia Greenlee. Compensation: $50 and one print copy. Deadline: June 30.
• “Since 1958, the annual Utah Original Writing Competition has celebrated Utah’s dynamic and varied voices and aided Utah writers on their path to publication and broader recognition. Numerous awardees selected by our nationally recognized judges have gone on to significant statewide and national acclaim. Please read through the entire guidelines before submitting.” Cash prizes, multiple categories. Deadline: June 30.
• In Missouri, the Department of English at Westminster College “seeks a generalist with a background in creative writing, American literature, and composition to serve as Visiting Assistant Professor or Lecturer of English for the 2025-2026 academic year. The course load will be 4/4, including half-time in first-year composition with other classes in Creative Nonfiction, multi-genre Introduction to Creative Writing, and general education American Literature.” Deadline: “Review of applications will begin June 30, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.”
• The Institute for Independent Journalists’ Newsletter “is looking for a remote writer for a weekly 400-600 word newsletter that shares freelance advice, promotes IIJ events, and aggregates other news, events, and opportunities for freelance journalists. Each newsletter has 2-3 sections, plus pitch calls and fellowship or grant opportunities….This work should take about 3-5 hours weekly. Copy is due on Thursday mornings with same-day edits, unless otherwise arranged with the editor. 💰 Pay is $100 per newsletter plus a year-end performance bonus.” Full announcement within this post. No deadline indicated. (Hat tip: Freelance Opportunities.)